The speaker said …

As Mike writes here, 'In keeping with the Suffrage Anniversary celebrations, the club was addressed by two high-achieving women, in two quite different fields of endeavour. The first was Erin Paterson, a researcher at the Gillies-McIndoe Institute in Lower Hutt. Our second speaker was local artist, Rebecca Holden, who gave us a beautifully-illustrated presentation of her major project “Sand in the Apricot Jam”.

Snippets

President Donna welcomed Jenny and Ron Lucas home from Vietnam. She also welcomed back Adrienne Murray and the Blicks from the Rotary Convention in Hobart. More information about this event will follow in due course.

Donna reported on a very interesting Board meeting which showed how Rotary works in so many ways. She said that Treasurer Bruce will present the Charitable Trust accounts on the night of our next Planning Meetings.

Our former member, Debbie Mair, is presenting her investigation on Saturday 22 September from 10-11 am at the Environmental Studies Conference. Her topic is, 'what makes some of the riparian restoration planting projects successful and others less so (in terms of improving water quality, habitat quality, and aquatic biological communities). This is of great interest to the streams running into the Pauatahanui Inlet. Let Donna know if you want to carpool to Victoria University.

Donna has heard from Liam Dalton who we sponsored to Science and Technology week 2015. He is now studying in Auckland and is seeking sponsorship to go to the USA Model United Nations.

Phillip Reidy talked about the Communications Survey that his Committee had created. Forms were available on all the tables, together with pens sponsored by Tommy's, and he asked members to complete the survey and return the forms to him. They will be available again next week for those who missed out.

AG Adrienne brought us up to speed with the preparations for the event to celebrate 125 years of Women's Suffrage being held in the Spine at Pataka on Wednesday 17 October at 6.30 pm. The working team consists of Tanya, two Phil(l)ips and Marty with venue sponsorship from Philip and Euon. The three speakers are Green MP Jan Logie, National MP from Papakura, Judith Collins, and senior student at Porirua College and member of Le Art, Rosetta Lopa. Mayor Mike Tana will be the MC. Tickets are $35 and the money raised will be used by Porirua College for empowering young women, following discussions with and advice from their senior students. There are 150 tickets for sale. Please sell them to your friends and colleagues. This flyer will give you all the information you will need.  Womens_Suffrage_flyer 

Peter Cox is looking for volunteers to collect for the Blind Appeal week from 22-28 October. Please let him know if you can help.

Adrienne is looking for volunteers to conduct interviews for Year 13 leavers at Porirua College from 12.00-3.00 pm on 2 November. Please let her know if you are available.

PDG Graeme Blick mentioned that he and Christine had caught up with Dick (former member) and Sue Garner who sent their regards to club members who remember them.

This week’s happenings

For any of you who might have been interested in participating in the VUW interview, 'Sense of Place - Older People in the Wellington Region', they have informed us that the participant list has already reached capacity.

The Almoner said …

And the good news is that Spencer Harris is back home again. Visitors would be welcome - ring first to check that it's convenient.

Parting thought

Derek Oldershaw decided against giving us any quotes by Donald Trump and offered one from Albert Einstein instead. 'Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.'

Visitors

Welcome to Erin Paterson, the Rotary Foundation Scholar we sponsored to the Salk Institute, together with Dr Tinte Hinteang, Chief Scientific Officer from GMRI. We mentioned last week the wonderful write up about her in the Global Grants Bulletin.

Welcome to ANZAC artist, Rebecca Holden. Donna thanked her for allowing her to attend the return of her exhibition to NZ shores on Monday evening. It will be available for viewing at St Pats Silverstream until Thursday.

Welcome also to Jenine Langridge who not only does the best pedicures in Whitby but Rebecca's husband was the best man at her wedding. And welcome to Sue Couch for the second week in a row!

What’s coming up in September and beyond?

On 25 September we will hear about the vision for Porirua from Mayor Mike Tana who will welcome any questions we may have to ask him. We were hoping that members of Le Art, who sang the National Anthem so beautifully at the conclusion of the Leadership Awards, could come to receive a koha from the Mayor but they are performing at a concert that night.

2 October is a Planning Meeting. How are all those projects coming along? Is there anything that needs to be promoted on the website?

For three days from 4-6 October, Peter Cox is looking for volunteers to help with car parking at the Kennel Club. Please let him know if you can take a shift.

On 9 October we will be hearing from Christina Howard, the Executive Director of the Todd Foundation about how Todd Foundation takes a strategic and long-term approach to philanthropic funding.

24 October is World Polio Day.

25 October is the night of the Diwali Night Market. Allan Nicols would like to know who can attend from 5.00-8.30 pm to help Porirua City Council.

Remember to let President Donna know if you want to join  Johnsonville Rotary on Monday 29 October when they have invited Simon Bridges to speak to them. All are welcome at a cost of $21. 

You can find most of the events for the rest of this year on our Events page. These include details about the exciting evening planned for 5 November.